The Dumpster: 1965 Dodge M37

Two and a half years ago I drug home this '65 Dodge M37 military truck. It was just a shell of a truck, no engine or transmission, broken axles, and tired suspension. None of that mattered as I saw potential for a retro wheeler with a late-model drivetrain. I realized that many of you readers may have that same type of vision, so I proceeded to showcase not just how to build my M37, but how to stuff a new drivetrain into just about any old 4x4. Over the past year we've dropped in an '04 GMC 6.0L V-8 engine, late-model Dodge and Chevy axles, a steering box, shocks, and radiator designed for a Ford, and various other used parts we had lying around. The truck was called the Dumpster for all the used parts we threw in it.

Most of the work on the Dumpster was done at Pacific Fabrication, a 4x4 and Hot Rod shop in Morgan Hill, California, that specializes in late-model GM LS-series engine swaps. Pacific can supply you with new or low-mileage used V-8s as well as the wiring needed to make them run in any of your off-road projects, or you can send your truck there and they'll do the work for you.

This will be the last major buildup stories on the Dumpster for a while. It's pretty well finished (there's always more that could be done), but I need to mention some loose ends that didn't make the pages before. If you missed any previous stories or just want a recap, just search for "Dumpster" at 4wheeloffroad.com. And if you have your own retro off-roader send us pictures; we're always looking for interesting old iron.